The Fight Against Plastics: Must-Watch Documentaries

The world produces over 300 million tons of plastic annually and very little is being recycled. When we “throw away” plastic we must ask ourselves: where is this abstract place we call “away”?
When we discard plastic it pollutes our air. our land, our oceans and ultimately our bodies. To truly understand the scale of the problem and the solutions, we’ve compiled a list of powerful documentaries that expose the plastic crisis, corporate greenwashing, and how we can take action.

Explore these films, get informed, and join us in the movement toward a plastic-free future.

📽️ Must-Watch Documentaries on Plastic Pollution & Consumerism

1. Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy

🔗 Watch the trailer: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2024/11/20/buy-now-how-big-brands-are-trashing-the-planet

📖 About: This 2024 documentary uncovers how corporations manipulate consumer behavior, fueling overproduction and excessive waste—much of which is plastic-based. It highlights the environmental costs of planned obsolescence, fast fashion, and throwaway culture. A must-watch for those questioning corporate responsibility in pollution.

2. The Story of Plastic

🔗 Watch the trailer: https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/the-story-of-plastic-documentary-film/

📖 About: This Emmy-winning documentary reveals the full life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal. It dismantles the myth that recycling alone can solve plastic pollution and exposes the industry’s deceptive tactics. If you’re passionate about cutting plastic at the source, this is essential viewing.

3. Plastic Wars

🔗 Watch the trailer: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/plastic-wars/

📖 About: Produced by FRONTLINE and NPR, Plastic Wars investigates how oil and plastic companies misled the public into believing recycling was the solution—while increasing plastic production. This documentary provides critical insight into the power struggles behind the global plastic crisis.

4. Plastic Earth

🔗 Watch the trailer: https://greennewton.org/watch-these-great-documentaries-on-the-plastics-problem/

📖 About: A deep dive into how plastic pollution affects climate change, biodiversity, and human health. Featuring leading scientists and activists, this documentary presents solutions that go beyond personal responsibility and demand systemic change.

5. Plastic People

🔗 Watch the trailer: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2024/4/18/plastic-people-and-single-use-planet-films

📖 About: This film explores the human and environmental toll of plastic waste. It highlights how plastic infiltrates our bodies, water, and food systems, affecting public health worldwide. A powerful documentary for those looking to understand the personal impact of plastic pollution.

Join the Movement

These documentaries expose the truth about plastics, corporate greenwashing, and environmental harm—but awareness alone isn’t enough. Support the fight against plastic by choosing sustainable alternatives.

📢 Take action today! Share these films, spread awareness, and choose products that help reduce plastic waste.

1. Plastic Pollution Coalition

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution and its toxic impacts. They offer various petitions addressing issues like urging Coca-Cola to reinstate refillable bottles and supporting legislative acts aimed at reducing plastic use.

Website: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/takeaction/petitions

2. Beyond Plastics

Beyond Plastics is an initiative focused on ending single-use plastic pollution through education, advocacy, and policy change. They collaborate with local groups and affiliates to tackle plastic pollution across the United States.

Website: https://www.beyondplastics.org/

3. U.S. PIRG’s Beyond Plastic Campaign

U.S. PIRG’s Beyond Plastic Campaign aims to move beyond plastic by banning the worst single-use plastics and holding producers accountable for plastic waste.

Website: https://uspirg.org/feature/usp/beyond-plastics

4. Break Free From Plastic

Break Free From Plastic is a global movement envisioning a future free from plastic pollution. Since its launch in 2016, more than 13,000 organizations and individuals worldwide have joined to demand massive reductions in single-use plastics and push for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Website: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/

5. Greenpeace’s Plastic-Free July Petition

Greenpeace’s Plastic-Free July Petition urges major consumer goods companies to reject unnecessary throwaway plastics and commit to making 50% of their packaging reusable or refillable by 2030.

Website: https://act.greenpeace.org/page/115516/petition/1

6. Toxic-Free Future

Toxic-Free Future conducts scientific research and advocacy campaigns to protect against toxic chemicals contaminating homes, water, and communities. They offer various actions, including petitions to retailers to stop selling products containing harmful plastics.

Website: https://toxicfreefuture.org/take-action/

7. 5 Gyres Institute

5 Gyres Institute is dedicated to reducing plastic pollution through science, education, and advocacy. Their advocacy team engages in policy work through coalition-building on local, regional, national, and global scales.

Website: https://www.5gyres.org/advocacy/

8. Oceana’s Plastic Pollution Campaign

Oceana’s Plastic Pollution Campaign tackles plastic pollution at the source by working to pass local, state, and national policies that reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic.

Website: https://usa.oceana.org/our-campaigns/plastic/

9. Change.org Petitions

There are numerous petitions on Change.org addressing plastic pollution, such as:

• Urge Hershey to Reduce Plastic Pollution: https://www.change.org/p/the-hershey-company-reduce-plastic-pollution-of-the-ocean

• Make All Menstrual Products Plastic-Free: https://www.change.org/p/make-all-menstrual-products-plastic-free

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